The wearer would be naught indeed who should misbeseem such
a wedding garment.
But wherefore does the sheep wear wool?
That he in season sheared may be,
And the shepherd be warm though his flock be cool:
So I'll have a new cloak about me."
CHAPTER II
Vray moyne si oncques en feut depuis que le monde moynant moyna
de moynerie.--RABELAIS.
The Earl of Huntingdon, living in the vicinity of a royal forest,
and passionately attached to the chase from his infancy,
had long made as free with the king's deer as Lord Percy
proposed to do with those of Lord Douglas in the memorable
hunting of Cheviot. It is sufficiently well known how severe
were the forest-laws in those days, and with what jealousy
the kings of England maintained this branch of their prerogative;
but menaces and remonstrances were thrown away on the earl,
who declared that he would not thank Saint Peter for admission
into Paradise, if he were obliged to leave his bow and hounds
at the gate. King Henry (the Second) swore by Saint Botolph
to make him rue his sport, and, having caused him to be duly
and formally accused, summoned him to London to answer the charge.
The earl, deeming himself safer among his own vassals than
among king Henry's courtiers, took no notice of the mandate.
King Henry sent a force to bring him, vi et armis, to court.
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